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Cape Town - Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree has agreed to extend his stay with the Wellington-based franchise.
Plumtree has committed to the Hurricanes for the 2017 and 2018 seasons and will continue his long-standing and close relationship with head coach Chris Boyd.
"There has been some speculation about my coaching future over the past week, but my family consider Wellington to be our home and the Hurricanes are a team that is close to my heart," Plumtree told the Hurricanes' official website.
"We have a great group of players and coaches at the Hurricanes and I'm glad to have the opportunity to continue working with them over the coming seasons."
Loyalty has been a hallmark of Plumtree's coaching career with a five year stint with Swansea in Wales followed by four seasons with the Wellington Lions, then seven with the Sharks in South Africa, a team he also represented 80 times as a player.
He returned to New Zealand last season to be closer to family after a stint as Ireland's forwards coach and said his commitment to the Hurricanes had not changed since.
Plumtree said it was flattering to be approached by the Highlanders - to replace the departing Jamie Joseph as head coach - but that his loyalties were firmly with the Hurricanes.
Hurricanes chairperson Brian Roche said they were in the fortunate position of having a world class coaching partnership of Boyd and Plumtree.
"I think last season's results spoke volumes for how effective they are together," he remarked.
"We were thrilled when John decided to return home from Ireland with his family to join the Hurricanes in 2015 and we are just as thrilled that he will stay with us for another two years.
"We see him as an integral part of the Hurricanes future and a key part of our succession planning."
